Personally i can see his point, although i think the DFR are good and friendly , i am about to leave a local club because i get little out of it and thinking of joining the DFR . However clubs aren't for all.
Hamsterley is good. Also Weardale good running but much bleaker on the tops not walked as much as Teesdale so few trails but i pefer that. Alongside The Tees High Force etc and a big loop to Holwick is nice , uses part of The Cronkley fell fell race. Depends where in Durham mate , i'm in Darlo , I go to Hamsterley , teesdale , weardale and the North York Morrs mainly. Good routes for there on nym website. Also i sometimes use Mark Reids walks in The Northern Echo as runs and of course usual walk guidebooks.
Have fun mate.